The Art of Sundance: Beginner’s Guide To The Festival

Sundance is expensive. If you can allot the time and money to go, you’ll want to make the most of your experience. So here’s how to make it even more worth your while.

What do I know? Well, a lot more than I did when I first flew out to Salt Lake City, Utah in 2016. Back then, I was a badge-less, clueless college graduate; I hustled my way into any event that would have me. My first Sundance Film Festival had high highs: I interviewed the fest’s (former) director John Cooper, questioned Robert Redford himself at the opening Press Conference, danced to a DJ set by actor Elijah Wood and celebrated Swiss Army Man’s awards win at the Daniels’ after party. My first festival also had low lows: I accidentally bought tickets to a screening in Salt Lake City; after waiting in a Rush line for hours, the person in front of me got the last seat; I took the wrong bus home and ended up at a strip mall at 1 am; the pull-out couch in my shared hotel room nearly ruined my back; my random drunk roommates woke me up when I finally did sleep. Not to brag or anything.

In the eight years since, I’ve been a bit more official, covering Sundance as a film critic for Vanity Fair, No Film School, Ioncinema, Nonfiction.fr, Slate France and Dylankdempsey.com. Basically, I show up in a festive sweater and see 30+ movies. And every year without fail, Sundance is worth it. Yes, it still requires some effort—and hustle—but I’m now ready to pay eight years of accrued wisdom forward. My goal is to help you experience high highs of your own … and avoid the low lows.

Please pardon the resolution of my 2016 iPhone!

Should You Go?

Duh

Every festival has its own personality—and Sundance has the ideal prestige-to-access ratio. Meaning: what feels like hallowed ground for the world’s greatest storytellers simultaneously feels like an Après-Ski sleepaway camp. For example, in order to accommodate slush, “red carpets” are brown and black. Celebrities dart down main street in Christmas sweaters and clunky boots, brushing shoulders with you on the way into a café. The down-home environment—snowstorms, ski bums, laid-back locals, the occasional moose—plus that anything’s possible indie spirit is just what you’d expect from a festival launched by Robert Redford. There’s also something about Park City—a magical hamlet nestled in the mountains above Salt Lake City—that attracts only those who really want to be there. It’s isolated enough to draw the truest film lovers, charming enough to encourage kindred souls to share their passion with each other.

I also can’t understate the cool factor. Sundance is a cultural microcosm, an international petri dish and a bellwether of societal change. There are scant better opportunities to get outside of your comfort zone, expand your perspective, meet interesting people, absorb unforgettable stories, and feel as if you’re on vacation the whole time. Of course, I’m biased, because Sundance jumpstarted my career as both a film critic and filmmaker—but I guarantee that this extraordinary mix of films, panels, parties and people will enrich you beyond measure.

Moose Loose on Main, Sundance 18

How Long Should You Stay?

ALAP (as long as possible).

Sundance lasts ten days, memories last forever (unless you get altitude sickness from lack of hydration or hit your head on a patch of ice). Most people opt to fly in for the festival’s opening weekend, when some of the buzziest premieres and after-parties deliver high-octane networking. The Thursday to Tuesday span usually contains the most action: you may sit next to Damian Chazelle at the majestic Eccles theater, or wind up at a Wu-Tang afterparty DJ’d by RZA. Aubrey Plaza might confide in you how weird she’s feeling before her big premiere. You’ll also spend a lot of time waiting in line.

Aubrey Plaza at the Black Bear premiere, Sundance 2020

However: while there’s no question that Sundance (and most film fests) frontload their activities, the second half of this festival is its hidden gem. Don’t sleep on week two: if you can take off work long enough to stick around, you’ll find plenty of events to attend and celebrities to ogle along with less crowds, less traffic and less venture capitalists cosplaying as filmmakers. Once that first chaos dissipates, most shreds of posturing are replaced by a wholesome love of cinema—and Sundance feels more like an experience built just for its audience.

Even better, you’ll actually find it easier to get into screenings and parties. Which isn’t to say that second-week screenings are of lesser caliber; in fact, many of the very best Sundance premieres I’ve attended have been on the Monday or Tuesday AFTER the first weekend crowd leaves—and some of the best films I’ve seen were at later screenings, thanks to word-of-mouth generated by first-weekend premieres. Week two is when you might catch a Get Out or a Hereditary BEFORE it becomes a cultural phenom … plus which the festival’s final weekend is capped off by awards screenings, where they replay some of those must-sees that you missed during the first nine days.

I can’t recommend this enough: if it’s within your means to attend the full ten days, it’s truly worth it.

Park City by night. *Photographer: Kelly Ann Taub, Credit: Sundance.*

Where Should You Stay?

Location, Location, Location.

Sundance lodging goes fast, and is incredibly expensive. Once you’ve decided to go, book your space as soon as possible. I recommend hotel rooms, Deer Valley condo shares, Airbnb, ski dorms and word-of-mouth. Stay with me next year! (Seriously, email me if you’re going).

If you’re used to living alone, lower your expectations: if you’re on a budget, privacy may not be an option—and that’s ok. In my eight years of Sundance, I’ve slept in shared condos/hotel rooms with anywhere from three to 16 people. The longer you wait to book, the more you’re likely to pay … even for a shared room. The goal is relative privacy and roommates you trust, both of which require advance planning.

If rooming with strangers is a dealbreaker, try to make your housemates your friends, or friends of friends of friends. If you’re going with a big group, i.e. a film team, it can be both cost effective and fun to rent out a whole condo in Deer Valley. There are also great condo options near Fresh Market or Park City Mountain Base. If you’re riding solo, you may be able to find a spot at one of these condos too, but typically for a jacked-up price, and rarely with much privacy. The best places to look are: the “Unofficial Sundance” Facebook group; anywhere you can search hashtags like #sundancelodging and #sundancehousing; Craigslist; and within your existing network (which now includes me).

The 2018 Sundance Film Festival. *Photographer: Tiffany Roohani, Credit: Sundance.*

If you’re cool with Spartan lodging for cheap, I recommend the Chateau Après Lodge’s dorm rooms. You get a great location right near the Library theater, shuttles and main street for something like $50 a night, light breakfast included. The downside is you’re in a sixteen-person dorm room filled with bunk beds, a shared bathroom and noisy strangers. There are separate dorms for guys and gals (as far as I know gender non-conforming people get to pick either)—plus lockers that fit a small suitcase.

Trust me when I say short stays there are preferred—but even though bunks are packed to the gills during the festival and can feel a bit like the military, no Full Metal Jacket soap attacks have been reported to date. If you’re able to find a partial stay somewhere else, a few extra nights in the dorm can really help make your trip work.

That said, it’s easier to forget about your random roommates when all you can manage is a few precious naps in between screenings. If you do the festival right—i.e. go to every single screening and party and stay up late hanging out with Peter Dinklage—sleep is rare and time spent in your room is minimal. And when you’re riding that Dinklage high, the snoring isn’t so bad. In other words, the Sundance experience always trumps comfort … and provides the comfort you actually need. Above all, you’ll want to prioritize finding a place with easy access to the festival versus one with bells and whistles.

A view of Main Street. *Photographer: Jovelle Tamayo, Credit: Sundance*

Location is everything. You may be tempted by more private or luxurious options with amenities in Salt Lake or Heber Valley, but attending the festival is difficult if you’re not in or near Park City. Even if you have a car, commuting challenges will be endless: blizzards happen like clockwork, parking is impossible, traffic is a nightmare … and last-minute invites work best when you’re only minutes away. [See Transportation, below, for alternatives to car rentals.]

Most amenities are pointless, too: A condo with a pool or gym may be tempting, but let’s be honest: if you expect to work out during Sundance—beyond skiing, or sprinting through snowdrifts to catch a departing bus—you’re doing it wrong. As soon as you get to Park City, you’ll be so overwhelmed by the number of great things to do, any extra time spent at your lodging will feel silly. Unless you can find a place with a Jacuzzi. Ending your night in a hot tub is a festival tradition that everyone should experience at least once.

So what locations are best? The key phrases are ‘Shuttle Access’ and ‘walkability.’ Basically, you want to find a place where you don’t have to rely on Uber. Try Main Street (good luck), Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Base, Fresh Market, the Eccles Center or near the Sheraton (festival HQ). As a secondary option, Kimball Junction has shuttle access and a nearby theater, but it’s a hike from the festival nexus. These shuttles will be your saving grace during the festival, getting you to and from the numerous theaters which are spread throughout Park City and its outskirts. Trust me, you don’t want to starve from lack of cinema.

Festival Juror Peter Dinklage attends 2017 Awards Night. Not Pictured: Me. Photographer: Stephen Speckman, Credit: Sundance.

What Should You Bring?

A Good Attitude

Plus lots of layers. Comfortable clothes and boots. Must-have meds & toiletries—mainly because drugstores are distant and time will be scarce. Take it from a self-proclaimed clotheshorse, don’t suffer too much for fashion. While looking cool is a great way to make friends at a festival, sooner or later, people will zero in on your true personality. Sorry, I need to stop projecting. But seriously, most folks wear a warm winter coat with lots underneath (including long underwear), plus gloves, hat, scarf and boots. You’ll probably slip on the ice at some point, so try to do it in something padded. Be prepared for a lot of slogging through snow; make sure your shoes are both comfortable and waterproof. And bring a pair of slippers or flip flops for down-time!

Main Street traffic. Photographer: Stephen Speckman, Credit: Sundance

Transportation?

“I’m Walkin’ Here!”

Step One: as soon as you book your lodging in Park City, book a shuttle service from the SLC Airport to take you up the mountain. There are a bunch of options for this; I usually use Canyon Transportation. This will be cheaper and more predictable than Uber or a Taxi, both of which have exorbitant surge rates during the festival. Plus, the airport shuttle drivers are usually fascinating festival veterans, eager to offer advice to Sundance newbies—including juicy celebrity anecdotes. (I’ll spare you the one about Weinstein…) Tip them!

Once you get to Park City, the free shuttles are your new best friend. The festival transit system is a well-oiled machine, running all day and much of the night, and there are quick loops around town to all major theaters, hotels, and supermarkets. There are handy maps (physical and digital), as well as orange-vested volunteers at each shuttle stop eager to answer questions. Be sure to download the mobile app that shows real-time shuttle locations: “MyStop” for Apple, or visit “Parkcitytransit.org” if you’re on an Android—and pay close attention to color.

Different colored buses signify different routes: i.e., red is the “theater loop” that hits most of the major theaters, which can be a situational blessing or curse. It’s very easy to hop on the right bus at the wrong time and spend an entire 30 minutes going around a loop when you could have taken a more direct route, or sprinted to your destination on foot (be prepared for lots of that). More times than I can count, I’ve thought I had a good handle on the bus routes … until I rode around a loop twice without reaching my destination. That’s why it’s important to pay attention, make friends with volunteers and to be kind to drivers. If you’re nice, they’ll help you navigate.

Also, as a general rule, be sure to leave early, especially on opening weekend or awards night. These buses always get caught in traffic, and you don’t want to miss a director introducing their film.

**(He missed every screening)** *Photographer: Azikiwe Aboagye, Credit: Sundance.*

Tickets, Theaters & Time Management?

Gotta Catch ‘Em All

You know you’re at Sundance when ten interesting things are all happening at the same exact time. How do you juggle it all? Be prepared to hustle, literally and figuratively. To manage your schedule, download the Sundance Film Festival app and create an account, which allows you to “favorite” events of interest and keep a daily planner. Best of all, this will show you which events overlap, leading to moments of crucial decision-making.

Next step: plan ahead. Control the controllables. Like lodging, tickets sell out quickly, so it never hurts to book in advance. Sundance sells a number of different passes and ticket packages online. They’re not cheap, but they’re the best bang for your buck if you plan on attending many screenings. Buying individual tickets is another good option, which can be done in advance or at the festival. The longer you wait, the more limited your options, but fear not: even when you don’t have the money or foresight to buy in advance, you still have options at the box office—and your last-minute purchases may lead to little-known gems.

Caveat emptor: If you’re purchasing tickets late, it may be tempting to buy whatever’s available, but bear in mind that because of intros and Q&As, screenings last longer than you might expect. Plus, filing out of the theater and catching a shuttle to your next destination takes time. If you plan to watch multiple movies in one day (in my opinion, the sweet spot is three), be sure to leave ample time in between, or pick multiple screenings in the same theater. And—no matter how savvy a buyer you are—be prepared for a mix of star-studded flops and unexpected hits.

Director Bing Liu wins U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Filmmaking for *Minding the Gap* at Sundance 2018. Photographer: *Stephen Speckman, Credit: Sundance*

How to improve your odds? If you’re set on seeing your favorite celebrities, aim for the Eccles theater premieres, and go early. There’s always a star-laden red (brown) carpet before the film begins. If you’re interested in meeting fellow indie filmmakers, Short Films Program 1 is always a great festival kickoff: it screens on opening night, is guaranteed to contain a few crowd-pleasers, and you can usually squeeze it in before or after a big feature premiere at the Eccles. Afterwards, you’ll get a chance to speak to the filmmakers and maybe make some new friends. If you want a better shot at getting your question picked during a Q&A, the Library Theater shows big premieres in a more intimate setting—and for a don’t-miss experience, be sure to catch at least one film at the Egyptian Theatre, Park City’s oldest. What makes it iconic? The architecture, the ghosts…

Egyptian Theatre marquee on Main St. *Photographer: Weston Bury, Credit: Sundance*

In terms of programs, The US Dramatic and US Documentary Competition premieres will be the most packed during opening weekend, so those are the best tickets to snag early. A separate program called Premieres features big budgets and name recognition. Alternatively, you’ll find it easier to score tickets to re-runs from these sections later on in the fest, but nothing beats the electricity of going in fresh with a film’s first audience. The Midnight section always provides a fun mix of oddball genre-fanservice like Greener Grass and Mandy, as well as genuine nightmare-fuel, like Talk to Me and Speak No Evil. The NEXT program features lower-budget films—here seen as a badge of honor—made by exciting new indie voices or emerging indie regulars, including the likes of Kogonada, Aneesh Chaganty, Jane Schoenbrun, David Lowery. Ultimately, it’s hard to go wrong, but the more time you spend reading Sundance.org’s festival catalogue, the more informed you’ll be.

Another important caveat: look up the theaters on a map before buying any random ticket. Some theaters are far away from everything else, and accessible by only certain bus lines (if you’re on a tight schedule, beware the Redstone). Beyond Park City, the festival holds additional screenings at Sundance Mountain Resort (even farther) and Salt Lake City (even fartherer). The commute may seem like a necessary evil when no other tickets are available for your most coveted film—but trust me, it’s a painful trade-off. Beware the following venues, all of which are in Salt Lake City (unless you’re staying in Salt Lake City, then beware your own decision-making skills):

SALT LAKE CITY THEATERS

The Broadway Centre Cinema (111 E. Broadway)
The Grand Theatre (Salt Lake Community College, 1575 S. State St.)
The Rose Wagner Center (138 W. 300 South)
The Salt Lake City Library Theatre (210 E. 400 South)
The Tower Theatre (876 E. 900 South)

That said, if you can make time for a day trip to Sundance Mountain Resort, for a screening, skiing, or both—or just for the fabulous Sunday brunch in the Foundry, or dinner in the Tree Room—that IS worth the trip.

Sundance Mountain Resort. *Photographer: Jonathan Hickerson, Credit: Sundance*

The Box Office

Luckily, if you did accidentally buy some SLC tickets even though you’re staying in Park City, you can trade tickets like Pokémon cards at the festival box office on Main. When I first attended Sundance without a badge (or tickets), the Box Office was my saving grace. Every morning I’d check for ticket openings, hopeful I might tap into someone else’s discard pile. You can buy same-day tickets, trade in tickets you can’t use in exchange for other same-day tickets, and/or trade-in tix for ticket vouchers, which can be traded in later or used in a rush line. Basically, if you check in with the box office as a morning routine, they’re likely to have an assortment of tickets to screenings you can either trade for or buy. And if you befriend the hardworking box office staff, they may even offer to hold certain tickets for you. When I had zero badge and zero clout, this was how I got into screenings.

You can also join a virtual waitlist on your Sundance App, then keep tabs on your place in the queue—and arrive at the waitlist line as late as 30 minutes before a screening. If you don’t have the advantage of snagging an early spot on the waitlist, the best resource is the Rush Line: a winding queue of non-ticket-holder-hopefuls that forms in front of the theater before each screening. Once ticket holders file in to claim their seats, theater staff lets in those at the head of the line until all empty seats are filled. If you reach the head of the line while seats still remain, you can buy a ticket on the spot. Obviously, getting there early affords you a better shot at getting in, but beware of the trade-off: camping out for one film means you miss other options. To avoid wasting time, try to gauge the size of a rush line before committing. First weekend premieres are always packed, and everyone else has the same idea. Rush lines are much more viable in the second week. Worst case scenario, at least you didn’t pay for a ticket! Plus, you never know: if anyone has an extra ticket, the rush line is the first place they’ll go to hand it off to a lucky stranger (ticket reselling is illegal and frowned upon).

Line outside The MARC Theatre. *Photographer: Stephen Speckman, Credit: Sundance*

WAITING IN LINE…

Is actually awesome.

Standing in the freezing cold with strangers in a queue that stretches out into the night doesn’t have to feel like the DMV. Also, there are usually heat lamps. As painful as it is to get turned down at the very front of a rush line, it’s about the journey, not the destination. Lines (and, by extension, theaters) are one of the most democratic aspects of the festival: you never know whom you’ll meet; and it’s the closest thing you’ll get to a non-party party at Sundance. It’s totally kosher to strike up a conversation with anyone in line and ask them for festival tips: what movies to see, where the party is, why they’re there in the first place, what’s their astrological sign. You’ll be surprised by how easy it is to make friends there—and how many Capricorns attend Sundance. Even if you’re feeling shy, remember that most people are in the same boat: eager to make friends, talk films and trade festival intel. How else are you going to find out where all the sick parties are?

Angela McCluskey and Paul Cantelon perform. *Photographer: Max Spooner, Credit: Sundance*

Parties?

It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Drink water. Alcohol intake will seriously sneak up on you at such a high altitude, and there’s always someone making a fool of themselves. Don’t be that guy.

Pace Yourself. It may be tempting to chug tequila sodas at your first open bar, but you may regret it at your next open bar, or the next, then the next… Plus, don’t you have a 9AM screening? No matter how exciting free drinks may seem, trust me, there will be plenty more throughout the course of your Sundance.

Have courage. If you’re completely clueless about where to party, you have a few options. The easiest is to plumb fellow festivalgoers and volunteers for intel. It never hurts to ask. Sometimes, your best bet is just walking down main street and finding a line. For example, there are always big premiere after-parties at Chase Sapphire on Main. Most parties have lists, but if you strike up a conversation with someone in line, maybe they’ll let you join their group. Strength in numbers. Don’t try to sneak past the bouncer; instead, try to befriend them. If you’re patient and respectful, they may wave you in. In general, when you’re new to the fest, own up to it: people will try to help make your experience memorable.

There are a few regular parties every year at Sundance, but the roster is constantly changing (RIP National Geographic party, pour one out). Four can’t-miss gatherings to ask about include Indiewire’s Chili Party on Opening Night; Jonathan Greys, which always takes place in a Deer Valley mansion; the Sundance Awards night party, for which you can get a ticket from the press and industry offices if you ask very nicely; and, most spectacular of them all, the St. Regis party in Deer Valley, a castle-like hotel in the mountains which you’ll access via funicular, offering sweeping views of Park City by night.

While movies are the main event of Sundance, and parties second most important, food comes in a close third. And believe it or not, when meals are few and far between, this is part of what makes all these parties so important.

The 2018 Sundance Film Festival Awards Night Party. *Photographer: Jonathan Hickerson, Credit: Sundance*

Food?

Hors d’oeuvres are king.

If you do Sundance right, free appetizers will be your main form of sustenance. Every party worth anything has them. Once you start inhaling tuna tacos and empanadas, the servers will gravitate towards you like an orbital pull. You’ll be networking out of one corner of your mouth, chewing through sliders with the other, stuffing kebabs in your coat pockets for later. Showbiz, baby. Yeah, you’re awesome.

But seriously, the parties have free food, and there’s no shame in going whole hog on the delicacies. When you’re attending events all day, it can be tough to make time for a proper meal, let alone something affordable.

Beyond parties, theaters are another time-saving option for food. Most sell concessions, some sell actual food, and the Eccles theater has a pretty good breakfast burrito. And next to price-gouging restaurants, supermarket food is an affordable resource. The Fresh Market is my personal favorite for backup festival food. Located conveniently in between Main Street and festival headquarters, most of the shuttle lines stop there. The key is to have access to a fridge, a microwave, and/or coffee. Snacks are also crucial: filling your backpack with apples, nuts and dark chocolate never hurts. The more easy, healthy options you can squirrel away for winter, the more you can maximize your moviegoing. And whether or not you buy one, someone, somewhere is inevitably going to hand you a Cliff Bar.

Speaking of healthy, Davanza’s on Main is one of the most reliable options: it’s a pizza and burger joint with a ski bum crowd. It’s fast, affordable, centrally-located, and tasty … but I don’t recommend making it your diet for the entire festival. If you have time for a sit-down meal, try the Eating Establishment or Bangkok Thai on Main. The restaurant at the Double Tree is also good for a solid, quick meal in between screenings—and if you’re looking for a workspace, Atticus Coffee and Teahouse is the place to be. Finding a seat may be tough, but they offer veggie wraps and snacks to make it worth your while. Most other Main Street establishments will hurt your pocket, be super-crowded, and sink your schedule … unless, of course, they’re hosting a party and let you in.

The Cast & Crew of *Brigsby Bear,* a 2017 Sundance Premiere at the Eccles Theater

Networking?

Golden Rule!

All the lessons you learned in grade school will pay off here, seriously. Be polite, considerate.

Give people personal space. Ask questions, listen. There are truly no dumb questions. Use common sense if it’s at your disposal. Read the room. While every industry event contains the occasional scumbag (see earlier comment about [name redacted]), the base level energy at this festival is goodwill. If you put out good energy, chances are you’ll get it back. In my eight years at Sundance, I’ve seen only one fight in the awards night hors d’oeuvres line. And to be honest, I don’t blame them. Food is precious. Awards night 2019 had an entire wall made of donuts; no fights that year.

Talk to anybody you want! Chances are, most people will be receptive. The festival has volunteers specifically assigned to help (thank you, volunteers!), but beyond that, most of them are probably like you and me: film fans/filmmakers doing duty in order to get a taste of Sundance. Like the design team at a tech company, volunteers work hard to make sure the festival makes sense and is as easy to navigate as possible. Someone should send these guys to Squarespace.

Cristin Milioti & Andy Samberg at the Library Theater for the *Palm Springs* premiere, Sundance 2020

Beyond volunteers, the festival staff is also incredibly generous. I’ve never worked directly for the festival myself, but I’ll hazard a guess that being friendly is a requirement to land the job. You can visit the Press Office or Industry Office at Headquarters (even if you’re not accredited press or industry), and you’ll always find someone willing to answer questions.

When I first came to Sundance as a wanna-be journalist with cheesy business cards and a homemade badge (in place of that much-coveted official one), the press office was kind enough to give me extra brochures, maps, festival swag and even occasional tickets. This is by no means a given, and entitlement won’t get you far—but if you follow that Golden Rule (see above), you never know what could happen.

Speaking of business cards: if you want to make them, have at it; handing them out is a Sundance rite of passage. If you ask me, though, they’re overrated. By the end of Sundance, you’ll have accumulated so many that trying to remember who’s who will feel like trying to learn how to play Magic: The Gathering. When you’ve got fifty cards, it’s hard for one to stand out.

Plus, handing someone a business card after a short conversation is like the networking version of “wyd.” Like chill out bro, we just met. I’m supposed to email you and watch your short film now? Not every encounter has to be transactional. By all means, stay in touch with the people you like … but don’t just hand out cards willy-nilly, thrust them into famous faces or, worst of all, use them to end a conversation (unless the conversation sucks). And don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate business cards. In fact, I know they’re useful—but they’re also a symptom of a larger networking culture that feels insincere. So before perfecting your Patrick Bateman watermark or timing the hand-off, focus on connecting with the person you’re speaking to. And if that doesn’t happen, don’t sweat it! There’s probably ten more interesting people to meet nearby.

Salma Hayek poses with press, Sundance 2017. *Photographer: Kelly Ann Taub*

How to be memorable? I’ve seen my share of creative alternatives to business cards: matches, chapstick, toothpicks, lighters, bouncy balls, a metrocard. You can definitely embed yourself in someone’s memory through a quirky totem, but I tend to prefer social media / email. Keeping it digital allows you to stay in touch as much or as little as needed, and helps put a face to a name. For the same reason, you can even add a photo to help your business card stand out—but don’t pick too flattering a photo. You might meet a girl who draws wrinkles all over your card just to match your current level of ageing. True, that IS another quirky way to embed yourself in a stranger’s memory... Not like that ever actually happened, of course.

An audience member asks a question during a panel. *Photographer: Stephen Speckman, Credit: Sundance*

Post Screening Q&A’s, Panels?

Don’t skip ‘em. Just skip bad questions.

One of the very best aspects of Sundance is the conversations sparked during post-screening Q&A’s and panels. A combination of factors—the zeal of festival attendees, diversity of backgrounds and candor of speakers—leads to consistently rousing discourse. An off-the-cuff anecdote can evolve into a community discussion; chiming in can lead to explored catharsis; thoughtful questions can stir a room’s energy on a molecular level. But be judicious. Remember when I said there are truly no dumb questions? Well, in Q&A’s there are definitely dumb questions. Having a private conversation is different than seizing the mic in a crowded room, and if you’re lucky enough to get called on, each moment you speak takes away from others. So please DON’T spend a minute gushing about a film, or share a story about your cousin, or talk about your own project. Practically anything that isn’t a question is overshare and anything self-serving or off-topic is cringe.

On the plus side, even after the official Q&A ends (depending on the scale of the event), there’s a good chance you’ll be able to approach the speakers for follow-up q’s—just don’t ambush them. Again, the Golden Rule applies: unless you’ve got a real zinger, skip lame jokes, and avoid prying into sensitive subjects like a film’s budget or someone’s personal life.

Crowdwork by Daniels during a Swiss Army Man Q&A, Sundance 2016

This personal interaction is what makes Sundance so special. After the festival ends, you may be exhausted for weeks, but the inspiration and motivation from these exchanges will last even longer. Feeling the collective thrill of watching a brand-new film in the same room with the people who made it, then sharing the glory—and the laughs—afterwards is an experience like no other.

SKIING

Justin Bieber once invited the ire of countless skiiers by trying to rent out the entire Blue Mountain Ski Resort in Ontario on New Year’s Eve, so that he and his friends could have the whole mountain to themselves. Want to feel like Bieber? Go skiing during the festival: you might be the only person on the lift. Deer Valley Resort is especially majestic, and has the best mountain dining, as long as you can handle their skiers only policy. If you think that’s elitist, wait until you see the tissue boxes in every lift line (honestly a huge asset). Park City is a great alternative if you have snowboarders in your group. There’s nothing more quintessentially Sundance than a morning on the slopes, an afternoon in a theater, an evening at a party … plus a final good night in a hot tub, out under the stars.

Make memories and enjoy!

Ok, so I lied—my first Sundance wasn’t in 2016, it was in 1993. Nepo-baby alert! Here I am crawling around at the filmmaker’s brunch. It’s taken me not eight but nine years of Sundance to learn how to do the festival justice. Hopefully, thanks to my pointers, you’ll learn faster than I did.

Feel free to email me with questions. And see you on Main Street.

The Art of Sundance: Beginner’s Guide To The Festival